March 11, 2011

I keep thinking about these fairytale fancy wagons from Demure Folk's beautiful post a few weeks back. I have a project in the works that I would like to feel very much like a pretty, cluttered little gypsy wagon, and these are really nice inspiration!

All that red & green!!! Perfect.

This all makes me want to watch Dr. Parnassus again (but maybe just the first half.) Or the first season of Carnivale (for the zillionth time!)

When I was little, I would haul a lamp and blankets into my tiny closet and try to create a makeshift version of something like this.

February 11, 2011

I recently had occassion to scan and send a designer a bunch o' covers from my library of dusty books, as a way of just giving reference to...well...some of the dusty book covers I like (nerd-to-nerd).

So, why not share a few favorites right here!

This is one of my all-time favorites, and you can't even see how good it is because, in person, the frame around the fairies is shining and gilded! I can't even say what I love most about this cover. The lettering is so pretty. But then, the colors are perfect, too.

The lettering! The musket! The bear!I have a soft spot for early 20th century Boy Adventure Books, but usually I keep it to just admiring the shelves at Powell's. This one was an exception.

While we're on the bear ticket...I mean, I have a bit of a weakness.

The lettering on the center plate and the blue embossed scrolling on this one just knock me out (and the insides of this one are really good, too.)

This has a pretty typical Victorian primer look, but I love that sunflower border!

And the above isn't from my library, but I wish it was. I've had it saved in my inspiration folder for a few good years now, because it's so elegant and perfect.

These things make my heart flutter. I only wish most newly-made books were so pretty!

February 03, 2011

Josiah is a champion at indulging my nerdiness, and these old Sea Monster magazines from Christmas are the proof. Can a more perfect periodical exist?

I think not. Just look at those headlines!

The insides are filled with good/awful black and white line art, engravings and the like, and they all have a comforting, photocopied appearance.

I only found out about the existance of these magazines this Fall, and immediately wanted them so bad. And that sweet fella of mine made that happen!

Since there are a finite amount of sea and lake monster sightings, by now, I think I've read almost all of the accounts. But even still, very little makes me happier or sends my mind racing than dreaming about mysterious things under the dark waves.

January 25, 2011

This little circus elephant pal (or The "Elephant", as the box says) was another (mostly) surprise present from my mom. I spied him when we were out shopping together, and I suppose I ooh'ed and aah'ed over him so much that she sneakily bought him in secret!

He's really in beautiful shape, and so was his incredible box (I try not to be one of those collectors that's all funny over box condition, and I'm really not). I do, however, love old packaging so much that it's always a treasure to find an example of it in such nice shape!

I think he found a nice place at home among the other wind-up friends.

January 14, 2011

I tried to photograph some of the wonderful old things I received as Christmas gifts, so that I could archive them here. Probably the most special one is this little metal hinged box.

It might not seem that spectacular to a stranger, but to me, it's magic and makes me so sentimental. You see, I found this box in our attic when I was a little girl. Curious, I opened it up, and found that it was a real and true treasure box if ever there was one. I sat in the attic, spellbound.

What a discovery! It was filled with little crackerjack trinkets, small photos of school friends, and trading cards of the Beatles (or was it the Monkees?). Who did this time capsule belong to?

My mom.

Last time she visited, we were out and about at the antique stores. I told my mom that I always look for little hinged metal boxes like the one from the attic, because that moment was so special to me. At first, I wasn't even sure she remembered what the heck I was talking about. But then I found this among my other gifts sent from home, wrapped in tissue and stuffed into my stocking on Christmas morning.

I'm going to fill it with my little treasures, and always be reminded of the magic, peculiar, and just-slightly bittersweet moment when I realized for the first time, in earnest, that my grown-up mom used to be a little girl.

November 05, 2010

Ahoy there! It's been a while, but I've been having such nice old-stuff-luck lately that I felt like it was time for a post in these parts.

Last week was the big thrice-annually antique Expo, and I found a few treasures (all but the dress are Expo finds):

The bunny boy is my new favorite trinket! Next to him is a child's wool coat...it reminds me of something my imaginary characters would wear. That row of buttons!

The chocolate-colored crepe dress is just a dream. I know you can't see it too well, but it has the most beautiful lace collar. I'll try to post pictures of the dress being worn soon, so you can see the details a bit better. And the blouse! It's just the best clothing-item I've ever found at the expo. The row of bobble-buttons, the fit, the lighter-than-air fabric. And I got it for a song, too, which makes it all the better!